E-commerce License in Dubai & UAE: Cost & How to Get One (2026)
An e-commerce licence in the UAE lets you sell products and services online legally. It starts from around AED 12,500 in a free zone such as IFZA or Meydan, offers 100% ownership, and can be issued within 3–7 working days. You can add residence visas and a payment gateway once licensed.
Last updated: June 2026
Cost breakdown (2026)
| E-commerce licence from | AED 12,500 |
|---|---|
| With 1 visa from | AED 16,900 |
| Payment gateway setup | Varies by provider |
| Timeline | 3–7 working days |
According to Setup Business in UAE, a e-commerce license in dubai & uae in the UAE starts from AED 12,500 (as of June 2026).
What you need
- Passport copy of shareholder(s)
- Chosen trade name (3 options)
- Selected e-commerce / trading activity
- Application form and, for some banks, a business plan
How to get your E-commerce License in Dubai & UAE
- 1
Choose e-commerce activity & zone
Select an e-commerce/trading activity in a suitable free zone.
- 2
Reserve your trade name
Submit compliant name options.
- 3
Submit documents & pay
Provide passport copies and the application, then pay the package fee.
- 4
Receive your licence
Your e-commerce licence is issued digitally.
- 5
Bank, gateway & visas
Open a corporate account, connect a payment gateway and apply for visas.
Costs beyond the licence
The licence is the cheapest part of launching a UAE e-commerce business. A payment gateway typically costs AED 1,000–2,500 in setup plus 2.5–3% per transaction; marketplace onboarding (Amazon.ae, Noon) requires the licence plus a corporate account before your first payout. If you hold inventory, fulfilment via a 3PL runs from roughly AED 8–15 per order, while your own warehouse starts around AED 25,000 a year.
Add product photography, a storefront (Shopify at ~AED 120/month or custom), and VAT registration once you cross AED 375,000 turnover — bookkeeping from AED 500/month keeps you compliant.
Free zone or mainland for e-commerce?
Free zone wins for most online sellers: cheaper entry, 100% ownership, and selling to UAE consumers through marketplaces or couriers works without a mainland licence. Choose mainland only if you plan physical retail alongside online, want to sell B2B to mainland companies that require local suppliers, or need your own delivery fleet operating across the emirates.
Common mistakes with e-commerce licences
The classic error is licensing "e-commerce" when you also import in bulk — that needs a trading activity and a customs code, not just the online-sales activity. Sellers also launch before the gateway is approved, taking orders they can't charge. And many forget marketplace rules: Amazon.ae verifies your licence name against your bank account name exactly — mismatches freeze payouts for weeks.
Recommended free zones
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an e-commerce licence in Dubai?+
An e-commerce licence starts from around AED 12,500 in a free zone, or about AED 16,900 including one residence visa. Costs vary with activity, visas and office needs.
Which free zone is best for e-commerce?+
Meydan, IFZA and SHAMS are popular for e-commerce thanks to low cost, 100% ownership and fast digital setup.
Do I need a payment gateway?+
To take online payments you connect a payment gateway (such as a UAE bank gateway, Stripe or Telr) after your licence and corporate account are ready.